BSc (Hons) Science with Foundation Year

There’s more than one route to becoming a scientist. If you don’t have the grades for our other science degrees, this BSc (Hons) Science with Foundation Year course is the best place to start. Once you’re up to speed, you can choose which science degree to move on to after your Foundation year.

You’ll study biology, chemistry, earth sciences, psychology, sport and exercise science, and health sciences. And develop skills you’ll use throughout your career, from technology to numeracy.

If you want to be a professional scientist, this science foundation degree could be your launchpad.

Course highlights

• Gain knowledge of many different scientific principles and practices, and build the skills and understanding to use them
• Get hands-on in our labs, assessing the physical effects of polar conditions in our extreme environments lab, working with medical manikins in our healthcare simulation suite, and monitoring ecosystems in our shoreside marine station
• Study alongside students from other scientific interests and backgrounds and be taught by academics and guest lecturers with experience in industry and research
• Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a science degree at university – including how to conduct fieldwork and write up your findings

After your foundation year

Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, the topics and modules you go on to study will depend on the degree course you choose to take.

Bachelor's degrees you could progress onto:

• Biology courses
• Earth science courses
• Geography and environmental science courses
• Healthcare and social care courses
• Psychology courses
• Sport science courses

Quick guide to foundation year courses

A foundation year course allows you to:

• Explore your options before choosing your Bachelor's degree course
• Experience university life and get a taste of the way you'll be taught
• Develop the study skills and knowledge you'll need to succeed in your chosen Bachelor's degree

Modules

Year 1

Core modules in this year include:

• Foundation Research Project – 20 credits
• Foundation Tutorial – 0 credits
• Introduction to the Biological World – 20 credits
• Introduction to the Human World – 20 credits
• Introduction to the Natural World – 20 credits
• Numeric and IT Skills for Scientists – 20 credits
• Study Skills for University – 20 credits

There are no optional modules this year.

Year 2, 3 and 4

The modules you study in years 2, 3 and 4 (and year 5 if you do a placement year or choose an integrated Master's degree) will depend on which science degree you choose at the end of year 1.

Placement year

In this course, you could do an optional work placement year between your 3rd and 4th years. This allows you to get valuable experience working in the industry relevant to your chosen science degree.

Whatever science degree you choose, we’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry, and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Placement year opportunities

Once you've completed your foundation year and moved on to your full Bachelor's degree, you'll have the chance to do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.

Taking a placement year will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role after graduation.

For example, Environmental Science students have taken placements at organisations including Mott MacDonald and Enitial, and Sport and Exercise Science students have completed placements with Portsmouth FC, England Volleyball and the Hampshire Football Association.

We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement.

Do you see yourself conducting lab experiments and researching cutting-edge scientific theories? Perhaps you want to help athletes break new records, uncover new ways to protect endangered species or fight diseases.

Whatever area of science you're interested in, there's never been a better time to become a scientist. Science and technology are key areas of the UK economy and are likely to be even more important in the future as low-skilled jobs decline. There's a shortage of science graduates across various fields, and many sectors are struggling to recruit professionals.

This science foundation year, and the Bachelor's degree you move on to, will prepare you for a scientific career that makes a real difference.

You'll have the flexibility to choose what science-related degree you want to study from year 2 onwards, and you'll get ongoing careers support from our Careers and Employability Service for up to 5 years after you graduate from your full degree.